LA RUMBA
Strolling in Melbourne's Bourke St. mall on any one day is remarkable. Besides the glittery shop displays, there are strips of cafes in the alleyways and tram passengers waiting fashionably in their seasonal garments. Perhaps the show stealer amongst all these distractions are the wonderful performers that never fail to take a passerby away to a place where the world stands still for a while - a moment to feel the sound vibrations that takes one back into the roots of the soul where peace overshadows pace.
One of such performance is La Rumba, a Latin infused Melbourne band. I work in the mall, and sometimes when I am on my break I would follow the rhythmic beckoning to a different place on earth - well, at least that's how I feel when I hear these guys! A tight band, with a steady bass-line that is never too intrusive and fingers that move rhythmically with the grace of a ballerina's feet this band is fronted by a set of vocals that will turn your head faster than your lips can manage to say the exhilarating "wow' that races through your veins!
As with many of the other premier acts in the mall, they have graced many of the popular circuits around town and still enjoy the freedom and spontaneity of playing on the streets. So, many of you may have seen these dynamic boys in one place or another. Now, let's take a glimpse of their timeline and get to know a little more about the soul behind 'La Rumba'.
Pictures from top: Jarrod Rojo, Michael Rahab, Jaime Francisco Carrasco & featured guitarist, Nathan Slater.
1. How did you guys get together?
La Rumba was the brainchild of
Michael Rajab and Toby Hack who had years of experience playing together
and apart in different groups. They decided to go on their own and
involve other musicians. La Rumba started off as a real gypsy band with
anyone who turned up on the night playing. Initially we also had a
drummer, trumpet and piano accordion! Jaime and I (Jarrod) joined and
it was then narrowed us four as the core lineup with an occasional
percussionist.2. What are your backgrounds and would you like to tell us something that you think is particularly interesting about it?
Jarrod Rojo (Lead Vocals)
Born and raised in Melbourne, La Rumba's voice, Jarrod has enjoyed the
rock side of the music scene and headed well known cover bands (The
Reckoning, The Children Of…) With a yearning for the big stage rising
above all else Jarrod has gone back to his Spanish roots and is now
front and centre with La Rumba, booming his earthquake style he is so
renowned for.Michael Rajab (Guitar/Backing Vocals/Cajon)
Michael was born surrounded by music. With a father, a professional Lebanese drummer, and a mother possessed with flamenco, Michael's family influenced him greatly. This was the beginning of a life-long love of Arabic and flamenco music. In his 20's he turned his attention to the guitar and using his percussion background, fused the sounds of flamenco guitar with Arabic and gypsy rhythms and has never looked back.
Jaime Francisco Carrasco (Bass/Vocals)
Jaime is a multi instrumentalist with over a decades experience in the music industry. Migrating from Chile with his family at a young age he soon discovered a passion for the music of his Latin American heritage and quickly began forging a career along this path. In his late teens he began touring around Australia and overseas. He has collaborated on many albums and has consistently performed in all major world music festivals on the circuit.
3. Describe your style and tell us why it appeals to you.
Rumba Flamenca is a vibrant style of music unlike any other that people can’t help but be amazed by including the ones who play it! Its fun, loud, creates joy for all who hear it and relies on minimal musicians to make a big impact. It’s one of the most simple and raw forms of music with no artificial influence which is why I think it has the appeal that it does. It's just like we are deep down, raw and simple!
4. Every musician has gone through some form of struggle to get to where they are. What are some of your toughest battles?
I guess for me (Jarrod) the toughest battle musically is the constant one that faces all musicians with the amount of work available and the importance placed on music culture in Australia. Due to Australia being a very young country culturally, it makes it hard to make a living out of it without the country having large traditions and culture steeped in music. It affects musicians playing at venues who would rather pay a DJ to play because it’s cheaper but they just can’t create the same atmosphere. I’ve been working fulltime in other industries for 17 years and have only been able to live off music full time for the past 12 months due to street performing. I have been playing in bands on weekends for most of my life but one or two gigs a week generally isn’t viable to live off unless you’re in the corporate scene or have built a large fan base to which most musicians still can’t unfortunately make a living from.
5. Tell us about the happiest experience that you have had as a musician.
I (Jarrod) don’t know if I could pinpoint the happiest experience I’ve had. I’ve had some pretty unforgettable experiences with moments in music and played with some of the most amazing musicians I have seen or met! If I was forced to pick one, I’d probably say being able to get back to my roots and begin to understand my history more was and is still the most satisfying but I think being a musician and being able to enjoy and feel music itself is the happiest experience of anybody’s life!
6. What is the core message that you as a band would like to send out?
La Rumba is all about energy and having fun which reflects how life should be!!
7. If there is one truly useful advice that you can give to anyone in the world what would it be?
Don’t ever give up your dreams of creating and sharing music, life would be boring without people like you who dare to do so!! Music is different to every individual who hears, plays and appreciates it so there is an audience for you out there somewhere!!
Inquire about their album CD at:
Press contact: management@larumba.com.au
Booking agent: bookings@larumba.com.au
